Homicide Co-Defendants Plead Not Guilty to Murder, Metrobus Robbery

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Three co-defendants pleaded not guilty to a total of 16 charges before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan on Aug. 22.

Steven Metts, 18, Keondre Carroll, 21, and Jovontae Wallace, 19, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, robbery while armed and two counts of kidnapping while armed for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 59-year-old Raymond Blanchard on Jan. 23. The incident occurred on the 3000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.

Metts also faces charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a rifle or shotgun outside a home or place of business, possession of a large-capacity ammunition feeding device and an additional count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Carroll also faces charges of carrying a pistol outside a home or business, assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a large-capacity ammunition feeding device.

Due to allegations of other criminal activity, Judge Okun denied the defendants’ release.

Metts, Carroll and Wallace are alleged to have committed an armed robbery on a Metrobus at the intersection of Galveston Street, SW, and South Capitol Street, SE, on Jan. 24.

According to the prosecution, video from the Metrobus shows three suspects stopping the bus by driving a vehicle in front of it, boarding it armed, and taking the coat from a man that they were pursuing. After seizing the coat, prosecutors said, the suspects shot at the bus approximately 11 times while fleeing.

The prosecutor said the defendants admitted to police to being they are a trio, “a triangle,” adding that they do everything together.

Carroll is currently facing charges of assaulting the mother of his children with a firearm in a domestic violence case.

In a previous felony case, Carroll evaded US Marshals for approximately two months and cut off his GPS monitor while refusing to appear in court.

According to the prosecution, both Carroll and Metts showcased themselves in music videos on Instagram Live and other social media platforms, holding firearms consistent with those allegedly used in the Metrobus incident and other shootings.

Wallace is accused of joining in a group stabbing of a fellow inmate, the prosecution said, and he deleted his Instagram records in an attempt to tamper with the evidence.

The defendants’ attorneys pointed out that the prosecution’s arguments depended largely on unproven claims. The defense plans to respond in more detail at the next hearing.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Aug. 29.